Manager, Transformation

Johnson Controls; New Jersey; On-site; USD 89,000 - 149,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Paid time off

Benefits package

On-the-job training

Collaborative culture

Zero Harm safety

Job summary

Johnson Controls is seeking a Director-level Manager, Transformation to lead end-to-end ERP planning, implementation, and integration projects that scale operations. You will champion Lean Manufacturing and Kaizen events while partnering with leadership to establish KPIs and provide executive-level reporting.

The role requires coordinating with corporate functions and the Stack Forging Thermal Solutions team to ensure strategic alignment and compliance. Four days onsite per week are typical.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Operations Management, Engineering, Business Administration, or a related field.
• 7+ years of experience in operations, project management, or process improvement.
• Strong working familiarity with ERP systems.
• Proven experience leading Lean Manufacturing initiatives and facilitating kaizen events.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to act as an effective liaison between different departments and corporate functions.
• Proven ability to lead through influence

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end ERP planning and implementation projects to prepare for scale, mapping current and future-state processes across functions for a successful migration.
• Drive Lean Manufacturing initiatives and kaizen events to reduce waste and improve efficiency.
• Work with leadership to establish and monitor KPIs for actionable, executive-level reporting.
• Manage post-acquisition integration activities to align systems and operational frameworks.
• Act as the primary liaison between Stack Forging Thermal Solutions team and corporate functions to ensure alignment with goals and standards.
• Serve as the owner for cross-functional initiatives and ad hoc operational challenges.

Skills

Leadership

Project management

Process improvement

Lean Manufacturing

Kaizen

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Operations Management, Engineering, Business Administration, or related field

Tools

ERP systems

Job description

Johnson Controls, a global leader in thermal management, mission-critical building systems, energy efficiency, and decarbonization, helps customers use energy more productively, reduce carbon emissions, and operate with the precision and resilience required in rapidly expanding industries such as data centers, healthcare, pharmaceuticals, advanced manufacturing, and higher education.

For more than 140 years, Johnson Controls has delivered performance where it really matters. Backed by advanced technology, lifecycle services and an industry-leading field organization, we elevate customer performance, turn goals into real-world results and help move society forward.

Thermal constraints limit AI infrastructure, semiconductor equipment, power electronics, and defense systems. JCI removes those constraints. Enabled by the Stack Forging process, JCI produces high-performance thermal components and cooling loop solutions — purpose-built for direct integration into AI, HPC, and mission-critical systems. JCI has built the industry’s leading thermal management platform for the applications that demand it most.

As a Builder on the Stack Forging Thermal Solutions team at Johnson Controls, you’ll join a team of sleeve-rollers who set a high bar for themselves and their co-workers. We foster a collaborative culture with no silos, where everyone is encouraged to think out loud. If you are passionate about your craft and don’t give up until you’ve found a way, you will make an ideal Builder!

What We Offer:

• Competitive salary

• Paid vacation/holidays/sick time

• Comprehensive benefits package including 401K, medical, dental, and vision care.

• On-the-job/cross-training opportunities

• Encouraging and collaborative team environment

• Dedication to safety through our Zero Harm policy

What You’ll Do

As the Manager, Transformation, you will spearhead end-to-end ERP planning, implementation, and post-acquisition integration projects to drive organizational scale and operational alignment. You will champion a culture of continuous improvement by leading Lean Manufacturing initiatives and kaizen events, while collaborating with leadership to establish and monitor key performance indicators for executive reporting. Additionally, you will serve as a key liaison between the Stack Forging Thermal Solutions team and corporate functions, acting as the primary point of contact for complex cross-functional initiatives and operational challenges.

This position generally requires a commitment of 4 days onsite per week.

Who You Are

You are an operations-focused professional with experience in project management and process improvement. You possess a strong working familiarity with ERP systems and a proven track record of leading Lean Manufacturing initiatives and kaizen events. As a collaborative and communicative leader, you are a curious, proactive problem-solver who is comfortable with ambiguity, maintains an “I’ll figure it out” attitude, and is genuinely excited to drive positive change.

Responsibilities

*Responsibilities are subject to change based on shifting business needs

• In partnership with corporate support, lead end-to-end ERP planning and implementation projects to prepare for scale. Work cross-functionally to map current and future-state processes to ensure a successful ERP migration.

• Drive Lean Manufacturing initiatives and facilitate kaizen events to reduce waste and optimize efficiency, supporting a continuous improvement culture.

• Work with leadership to establish and monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) to provide actionable insights and executive-level reporting.

• Manage post-acquisition integration activities to ensure alignment of systems and operational frameworks.

• Act as a liaison between the Stack Forging Thermal Solutions team and JCI corporate functions to ensure alignment with organizational goals and compliance standards.

• Serve as the primary point of contact for cross-functional initiatives and ad hoc operational challenges requiring ownership.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Operations Management, Engineering, Business Administration, or a related field.
• 7+ years of experience in operations, project management, or process improvement
• Strong working familiarity with ERP systems
• Proven experience leading Lean Manufacturing initiatives and facilitating kaizen events.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to act as an effective liaison between different departments and corporate functions.
• Proven ability to lead through influence

Preferred Qualifications

Experience leading ERP preparation and implementation

SALARY RANGE

$ 89,400 - 149,200 (Salary to be determined by the education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities of the applicant, internal equity, and alignment with market data.) This role offers a competitive Bonus plan that will take into account individual, group, and corporate performance. This position includes a competitive benefits package. The posted salary range reflects the target compensation for this role. However, we recognize that exceptional candidates may bring unique skills and experiences that exceed the typical profile. To support an efficient and fair hiring process, we may use technology assisted tools, including artificial intelligence (AI), to help identify and evaluate candidates. All hiring decisions are ultimately made by human reviewers. For details, please visit the About Us tab on the Johnson Controls Careers site at https://jobs.johnsoncontrols.com/about-us #NA-Forge

Johnson Controls International plc. is an equal employment opportunity and affirmative action employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, protected veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, status as a qualified individual with a disability or any other characteristic protected by law. To view more information about your equal opportunity and non-discrimination rights as a candidate, visit EEO is the Law. If you are an individual with a disability and you require an accommodation during the application process, please visit here.